[2] Minkowski worked with Josef von Mering on the study of diabetes at the University of Strasbourg.

It was Minkowski who performed the operation and made the crucial link to recognize that the symptoms of the treated dogs were due to diabetes.

[5] Thus they were able to indicate that the pancreas contained regulators to control blood sugar; they also provided a model for the study of diabetes.

Their work led other doctors and scientists to pursue further research on the relation of the pancreas to diabetes, and ultimately resulted in the discovery of insulin as a treatment for the disease.

In recognition of the discovery by Minkowski the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annually awards the Minkowski Prize for outstanding original work of a younger investigator in diabetes research.